Leader of Southeast Texas Islamic community reacts to shootings at Sandy Hook

BEAUMONT - By Megan Dillard - The pain from the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary is also felt here half a country away.

KFDM spoke with the leader of an Islamic mosque in southeast Texas. He explains Islam teaches to lean on faith during times of tragedy.

Imam Daniel Abdullah Hernandez leads more than just the Islamic congregation in Beaumont. He's also the father of four kids.

KFDM sat down with him and three of his kids as they shared with us their pain in the face of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary.

Imam Daniel Abdullah Hernandez leads the congregation at the Islamic Society of the Triplex in Beaumont.

Tonight, three days after the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary, he's at the mosque with three of his four children.

"It touches your heart. Makes you think, this is just another parent. It could be me. This is the reality, it could be us."

As the leader of his family and his congregation, he's called upon to answer tough questions like why.

"We look at the scriptures, we look at the Quran, and we remember that God, that all-capable is able to make us go through this and make us again, learn from these mistakes, and move forward keeping the memories of the innocent children alive."

Innocent children much like his own. He says it's about teaching them hope to cope and find strength through their faith.

"How do we convey this information? How can we share this strength with our children in the face of these tragedies?"

Each night, his family spends time praying and talking together.

"We prayed for the people who got killed and the parents and the teachers and everyone who got killed. We watched the news and saw what happened."

"I would feel nervous if it happened to me."

"It was terrifying and scary. If it happened to me, my parents would be panicking. "

Each of the kids carrying fear and pain.

"I would feel nervous if it happened to me."

"I don't want to talk about it because it makes you cry."

A time when the whole nation hurts, one father teaching his children to lean on their beliefs and stay strong.

"The Quran says that if bad things happen, it's good to be patient. God loves the patient ones."

"How can we proactively do something to make a difference? How can this country, this city, this country come together to say we don't want this to happen again?"

The Imam explained time with his family is very important.

He hopes he can lead both his children and his congregation to pray for patience and strength during this painful time.

Leader of Southeast Texas Islamic community reacts to shootings at Sandy Hook

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